Sanitation workers claim unfair treatment

(WUSA9) -- About 50 workers with UNITY Disposal and recycling, a company contracted by Montgomery county for trash collection services are on strike.

Jesus Garrido, is on of them and said "We are working with trash they treat us like trash."

Garrido tells us the workers went on strike after the company fired one of their co-workers who was taking action to unionize.

He tells us they have been wanting to join a union because their wages are low and the health care benefits he described as being inadequate.

UNITY Disposal and Recycling issued the following statement:

"UNITY Disposal has been fully servicing its clients and meeting all obligations. While we cannot discuss the specifics of personnel matters, we can report that we have always provided our employees with competitive wages and benefits.

We welcome the return of our employees to active employment and will be contacting them regarding their return."

The companies drivers are said to make between $129-$150 dollars a day. Their assitants are said to bring in $60-$75 dollars a day according to a spokeswoman from The Laborers International Union of North America.